Madi Healey has enjoyed a strong 2025 on the bike.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
From four months off the motorbike to an international enduro debut, 2025 has had its fair share of rough terrain and everything in between for Kialla’s two-time Queen of the Desert Madi Healey.
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However, the 21-year-old has traversed it skilfully and with an adaptability that resulted in a call-up to what is widely billed as the ultimate test of endurance and technical fortitude on two wheels — the FIM International Six Days Enduro (ISDE).
After strong performances in the Australian Enduro Championship and clinching her second Finke Desert Race title in June, Healey got the call to compete in the 99th 'Olympics of enduro' in Bergamo, Italy, following an injury in the Australian Women's Trophy Team.
The best three off-road maestros from nine countries descend on the treacherous, looped terrain and cover hundreds of kilometres of tracks for five days before a final-day motocross event concludes proceedings.
Complicating matters is the fact only riders can perform maintenance on their bikes, either on the track or for only 15 minutes after the day’s riding.
The goal? Finish in one piece and set the lowest combined time over the six days, which includes a motocross event on day six.
“I didn't really have much of an idea of what it was about,” Healey said.
“I knew of it, but it was pretty new to me, and I got a phone call about six weeks prior that one of the girls that originally does it was injured.
“It turned from desert racing to motocross racing, to straight to the enduro side.
“I had to learn how to change tires, jump logs, do everything within the six weeks.
“It was pretty cool to get the phone call because I'd done a few of the Australian off roads this year and I podiumed both ones that I did.”
Healey repped the #306 at the FIM ISDE.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
With just six weeks of preparation, Healey joined forces with teammates Jess Gardiner and Danielle McDonald, battling their way to a commendable second place finish, just behind the United States.
“It was so cool to experience it,” Healey said.
“I was really thrown in the deep end; I didn't really know what it was about, but when our first couple days started, there was a lot of rain and bog holes, there was everything thrown at us.
“One little mistake could have lost you 10–15 minutes, so that's what we were just trying not to do.
“It’s a massive loop of the area and there would be five to eight special tests that we'd have to do - that's how we were scored.
“To come second in the world is pretty cool.
“It’s what I've been working for my whole life, to be on that world stage, and to come second is great.”
Healey’s maiden foray into the Aussie enduro team comes after what’s been a stellar year on the track for the motorcycle prodigy.
A second consecutive Finke Desert Race title, strong state motocross and enduro results, and a ninth-place overall finish at the Australian MXGP in Darwin in September stands Healey as one of the country’s brightest prospects.
But the usual bumps and scrapes sustained by the two-wheeled denizens of the dirt tracks turned into something a bit more serious when Healey required surgical intervention on a tricky shoulder.
“I had a shoulder reconstruction at the end of last year,” Healey said.
“From rebuilding my shoulder and trying to get as fit and strong as I possibly can again after having those four months off the bike … it (all) looked impossible.
“But as the year got on, I feel like it drove me to work a lot harder.
“My results showed, and I was rapt with that.
“The off season’s on now, and I'm looking forward to next year and just trying to get everything ready again.”
The young gun acknowledged her support crew and sponsors, also inviting any sponsorship enquiries to madihealeymx@outlook.com.
